Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today the publication of new research findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by Alnylam scientists and collaborators from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In the new study, Alnylam and Mount Sinai scientists discovered a novel class of virus-produced small non-coding RNAs, called small viral RNAs (svRNAs), which play a critical role in the replication of influenza A virus. Antagonism of these svRNAs resulted in decreased viral mRNA and blocked viral infectivity. These new findings provide further understanding of how influenza virus is able to infect cells, and identify new targets and strategies for anti-influenza virus-based therapies.
“a major scientific breakthrough that happens once every decade or so”
"The discovery of svRNAs that play a critical role in flu virus replication opens the door for the development of novel RNA therapeutics for the treatment of flu infection, an area of major unmet need," said Antonin de Fougerolles, Ph.D., Vice President, Research, Immunology, Metabolic, and Viral Disease at Alnylam. "As a leader in the field of RNAi therapeutics and the emerging understanding of the critical role RNA plays in biological processes, this new paper underscores Alnylam's unique position in translating these basic discoveries into novel medicines."
"Influenza is a major pathogen responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, including the threat of global pandemics. Today's anti-viral medicines are limited in their mechanism of action and by emergence of resistant flu strains," said Benjamin tenOever, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Microbiology of The Mount Sinai Medical Center. "Our lab's interest in the biology of flu infection has led to the discovery of svRNAs that appear to control the switch from viral genome transcription toward viral replication. We are excited to work with Alnylam on RNA therapeutics targeting svRNAs as a new approach for anti-viral medicines."